The Makerss Needle Felting Retreat Weekends

Come and join Steffi & Sophie for a weekend of Fun, Fluff and Food! Our first two retreats were such a brillant success we have booked 2 more weekends!

They are suitable for all abilities, from those who have never picked up a felting needle to people who have been felting for years and want to spend a weekend with like-minded fluff fanatics! You will find good company and Steffi and Sophie will look after you!

The weekend will start with a meal and a small taster project on the Friday night while we get to know each other. It gets into full swing on the Saturday and Sunday with the main projects and a Felting Frolics night on the Saturday. We wind down on Sunday afternoon and Steffi and Sophie say their goodbyes, but if you would like to there is the option to stay another night for free! (You will need to provide your own food for Sunday evening & Monday morning - there is a pub a little stroll away for an evening meal). See below for the projects.

Winter Retreat Prices: £375 shared room, £425 single occupancy

Summer Retreat Prices: £400 shared room, £450 single occupancy

All your accommodation, food, materials and tools needed for Friday-Sunday afternoon are included - just bring your toothbrush! You are of course welcome to bring your on favourite tools and materials as well, and feel free to bring some of your needle felting projects to show people if you wish.

The retreat takes place around the Whitminster House estate in Gloucestershire, a Norman mansion complex with beautful grounds. There is accommodation in the main house (from Norman times, steeped with history) near The Stables where the felting happens in the daytime. In the evenings we retire to the cosy Elizabethan Farmhouses (a 5 minute walk (or short drive) away) for our activities, which you can join in with or rest and do your own thing if you like. There is an opportunity for a small group to have a tour around the main house during the weekend. Please note: Due to its age the accommodation and Stables can be quite quirky, with low beams, steep steps to some of the rooms uneven floors etc. There are a small amount of easier access ground floor rooms available, and there is a single step for everyone into the main activity room. Whitminster House is easiy to get to, only 2 miles from the M5. If coming by train the nearest train station is Stonehouse (approx 10 minutes by taxi) and Gloucester is approx 20 minutes away. All rooms share bathrooms with the exception of one en-suite room which is usually booked up straightaway!

Spaces are limited and rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Testimonials from our most recent Summer Retreat in June/July 2018:

'Steffi and Sophie are not only suppliers of felting materials and accessories, they are passionate about ensuring that your entry into the world of needle felting is supported and maintained ...You are truly among friends with Steffi and Sophie. I love this business and I guarantee you'll grow to love it too.'

'Love needle-felting? Love good food, good company and a good laugh? Then The Makerss Retreats are for you! I have now attended two of these amazing weekends - one in winter and one in summer. Both occasions were fabulous! The accommodation was beautiful as were the grounds that it was set in. I've made many new friends from all walks of life.....but we are all united by one thing.....the wonderful world of felting.'

'Even as a new felter I did not feel out of place with many who had a lot more experience, everyone was very supportive of each other.'

'Totally a must, I knew very little about felting, but went with an open mind. I took the train so was able to relax from London and did not come out of relax mode til I arrived back in London on Monday afternoon, a real must for anyone with an interest in felting. Goes without saying Steffi and Sophie and Mary were the most incredible hosts'

'Join us,… it's Fun, Friendly & you get to eat, drink, (be silly if you want) & take home your own-made Fluffy Creations at the end of it!'

'Lots of needle felting fun with like minded new friends. Plus great food and brilliant activities in a charming olde worlde setting. Steffi and Sophie were amazing hosts who could not do enough for us. I want to do it all over again.'

Testimonials from our Winter Retreat in January 2018:

’I had a great weekend, very pleasant company, plenty of time to create my felted creatures with lots of constructive help from you both. The place was lovely and quirky and the food was fantastic and plentiful.‘ Andrea H.

‘I really enjoyed myself and learned far more than I was expecting. Some of the useful little tips were invaluable and have answered so many questions I never knew I had to ask in the first place!!’ Margaret P.

"Two days of great food, company and needle felting! Steffi and Sophie put so much thought and hard work into organising such a great retreat, you literally come away feeling happy and content (and full of amazing food), having made new friends and bursting with new skills you have learnt and ideas - all ready to put into practise. I couldn't recommend it highly enough!" Louise E.

‘What a fantastic time we all had. So many memories and friends made. Steffi and Sophie couldn’t have done any more to make this the perfect getaway for ‘fluffaholics’! From the beautiful accommodation, food, prosecco (yes prosecco) and great advice on needle felting techniques to just good old fashioned chatting and laughter over endless cups of tea and coffee....who could ask for more. xx get booking‘ Janice H.

‘Thank you both for a wonderful weekend. The organisation and attention to detail was extraordinary! I know how hard it is running a long course and never once did I see either of you be anything other than totally professional! How you coped with all the dietary requirements I have no idea.’ Margaret U.